Wet separating apparatus



Oct. 18, 1960 R. 1.. BENSON WET SEPARATING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 12, 1956 m m in VI. (1 H H IWHHHHH HHHHHHW HH IHH H HMH H H HHHU On 1 |HHHHHHHHHU Illllll'llllllllllll II II .lll I'll!- lllllfl INVENTOR. R055 L. BENSON ATTORNEY Oct. 18, 1960 R. L. BENSON WET SEPARATING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 12, 1956 INVENTOR. ROSS L. BENSON BY an) ATTERNEY United States Patent WET SEPARATmG APPARATUS Ross L. Benson, 695 th St., Boulder, Colo.

Filed Sept. 12, 1956, Ser. No. 609,482

3 Claims. (Cl. 209-464) This invention relates to a wet separating apparatus for separating valuable ore content from the rest of the ore particles which usually take the form of coarse and rock-like particles. especially designed to function as a uranium npgrader constructed to carry off and separate the uranium values from the remaining ore particles in the form of a'slime;

The principal aim of this invention is to provide a wet separating apparatus constructed to upgrade ore, particularly uranium ore, so that it is marketable and this type of separation generally would be utilized in connec tion with ore found in wet country, as distinguished from dry country where the ore recovered is substantially dry and is best separated by means of a dry separator. As is Well known, there are many deposits of low grade ore, and by this is meant deposits containing, for example, .05 to .08 of 1% of uranium. To make such ore marketable it is necessary to increase this percentage to the vicinity of .3 of 1% and it is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved wet separating apparatus which will accomplish this result.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved wet separating apparatus of the type described which incorporates structure for agitating and grinding the ore while intermingled with substantial amounts of liquid and thereafter exposing the particles to fluid jet action which results in a high recovery in the form of slime of the valuable ore particles.

Yet another object is to provide in the type of separator described in the previous paragraph a special separating construction which receives the material in ground and agitated form and which incorporates a multiplicity of jets for further washing of the particles and conveyor means for separating the heavy ore particles from the slime which contains the valuable ore particles.

A still further object is to provide with the construction mentioned in the preceding paragraph a specially designed enclosure which functions to carry 01f the slime to a settling pond which is designed to dry the product for market.

It is also an object of the invention to provide in connection with a separating construction of the type described, means for deflecting the ground and agitated material to distribute same over the jets, said deflecting means being adjustable so distribution to the jets will be controlled.

Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide a wet separating apparatus having agitating and grinding structure comprising a rotating hollow drum having disposed thereon along its longitudinal length a plurality of spaced pockets which function to retard travel of the coarse particles to increase the agitating and grinding action applied thereto.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with the features and objects thereof, and will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof wherein an example is'shown'and wherein! More specifically, the invention is "ice Figure 1 is an overall diagrammatic view of the wet separating apparatus of this invention, including slime ponds wherein the separated material is collected;

' Figure-2 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of Figure 2; and

:Figure 4 is a sectional view of the tromrnel of Figure 1 taken along the lines 44 of Figure 1.

As is'well known to those in the ore recovery and treating field, uranium ore generally consists of solid coarse particles such as gravel or rock having a coating thereabout in the form of an oxide coating or a talc. The valuable uranium is contained within this coating and in a wet country it is collected in the form of slime. The apparatus of this invention is designed for use in such wet operations and in general the wet separating apparatus shown in Figure 1 is designed to separate the coating or talc which carries the uranium values from the rock and gravel or coarse and hard particles and deposit this sep arated product in the form of a slime in a settling pond.

Considering Figure l in detail, numeral 1 represents a hollow cylindrical drum or trommel having an inlet end 2 and an outlet end 3, and the drum has its longitudinal axis slightly inclined from the horizontal whereby end 2is slightly elevated with respect to end 3, by means of any type of suitable supports 4 and 5 extending from'the ground. On top of each of these supports there is mounted a U-shaped member 6 which functions to support bearing means 7 and 8 of any standard and well known construction whereby the drum 1 is supported for rotation. Any suitable type of drive means for rotating the drum 1 may be employed, such as illustrated more in detail in my co-pending U.S. patent application Serial No. 558,639, filed January 12, 1956, and entitled Apparatus for Separating Fine and Coarse Particles. A satisfactory drive means may include an electric motor 9 suitably mounted on support 4 and connected to drive pinion 10 through reduction gearing 11, the drum I having mounted about its periphery a gear 12 which is driven by the pinion 10 to cause desired rotation of the drum, preferably at a relatively slow speed, as 12 r.p.m.

At the inlet end 2 of the drum there is provided any suitable type of ore feeding means, such as that represented by numeral 15 and communicating with this chute 15 is a fluid conduit 16 through which washing liquid,

such as water, from a source 17 flows and the pressure thereof is controlled by valve V. H can be appreciated that as the ore travels down the chute 15 it is mixed and becomes intermingled with liquid from the conduit 16 whereby the mixture that enters the drum 1 is a slurry composed of ore paricles and preferably water as the washing liquid. After this mixture of ore particles and water enters the drum the object is to separate the coating previously mentioned from the rest of the ore particles and to recover this coating in the form of a slime and, of course, the correct and optimum degree of separation is highly essential in providing a marketable ore. To aid in separation of the coating or talc from the heavy, coarse particles, there is provided within the drum 1 a continuous annular flange 18 of spiral configuration which is welded to the interior surface of the drum and extends inwardly thereof an amount represented by the numeral 19. In actuality this flange or screw extends inwardly about 12 to 16 inches with the inside diameter of the metal trommel being approximately 4 feet. Due to the configuration of spiral 18 it can be seen that the interior of the drum is provided with a plurality of spaced pockets 20 and a concentric opening 21 extending from inlet 2 to outlet 3.

Obviously, due to the inclinationof drum 1, the slurry travels downwardly from end 2 to end 3 and, ofco'r' rl'ie,

the rotation of the drum 1 assists this movement. The pockets 20 formed by flange 18 tend to retard this movement and to more or less maintain for intervals of time the heavy, coarseparticleswithin the pockets, and since the drum is continuously rotating this maintained material is constantly agitated which assists in separating the coating from the heavy particles. Extending between the walls of the various pockets at desired spaced intervals are transverse fins 22, these functioning to scour the gravel-like particles. To further aid in separation, and by referring to Figure 4 in particular, there is provided at spaced intervals within the drum a multiplicity of heavy metal chains 13. Aplurality of these chains, which may take the form of equivalent durable flexible members, preferably .dependfrom the drum interior surface and extend within pockets 20 and they cause a grinding action on the heavy particles within the pockets as the chains wiggle and move back and forth on top of and against the, particles during rotation of the drum. In other words, the pockets retard movement of the heavy particles (as distinguished from the liquid) and cause further agitation thereof and the chains provide a grinding action to the particles whereby when the slurry reaches end '3the coating containing the valuable uranium ore is pretty well separated from the heavy sand and rocklike particles. It shouldbe mentioned that substantial amounts of water are supplied at inlet 2 and assuming the pipe has a diameter of 4 feet, a longitudinal length of 24feet and flange '18 extends inwardly 12 inches and is spiralled'for forming pockets 20 having the centers thereof spaced 12 to l6inches longitudinally of the drum, then the coarse material, dueto pockets 20 primarily, travels a distance within the drum of approximately 200 to 300 feet before it is discharged at outlet 3.

Referringparticularly to Figures 2 and 3, as well as the schematic diagram of Figure 1, the slurry leaving end 3 is received in a body portion generally represented by numeral 23 which is supported by any suitable means, such as that shown at 24 and 25. Referring to Figure 3, the body portion 23 is preferably shaped to form a substantial semi-circular closed bottom 26 with upwardly and outwardly flaring sides 27 extending therefrom. The end 28 of. the body portion is deeper than at the end 29 and the top of the body portion is open, although it forms a level horizontal line 30 as shown clearly in Figures ,1 and 2. Surrounding the top opening of the body portion 23 is a trough-like construction 31 which receives the overflow from the body portion and carries same through a tube 32 to a slime ponds. The inlet to the slime pond S is shown at 34 and this is connected with tube 32 by any suitable means 35 that may be manually pivoted at '33 to selectively connect inlet means 34 with tube 32 whereby overflow is carried to a slime pond S.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, connected with conduit 16 is a water pipe 37 which runs to a T connection 38 and from this T extend pipes 39 which are positioned to run along the sides of body portion 23 to connect with nozzles N which have their openings arranged to eject fluid within the body portion. Water flow through these nozzles is controlled by any suitable valve means V and thus there is provided within body portion 23 a multiplicity of liquid jets, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described. Positioned within the bottom of body portion 23 and extending upwardly through its continuation 40 is a screw conveyor 41 driven by any suitable means, such as motor 42 and gearing 43, and at the top end of continuation 40 is a downwardly directed waste discharge chute 44.

It has been mentioned'that pockets 20 retard movement of the material so that there will be additional periods of agitationand grinding. Of course, water also accumulates within the pockets, but the overflow thereof travels from one pocket to the next, thus carrying'slime the longitudinallength of.the trommel. Thetrough 31 has its outside wall 36 extending above the line 30, but the base or bottom of the trough is sloped downwardly from end 29 to end 28 to assist and direct flow of the slime through tube 32. It will also be noted that T 38 incorporates a main valve V to completely control flow to pipes 39, the valves V actually providing individual control for each jet nozzle N.

The slime and coarse material leaving end 3, as stated, flows intobody portion 23 and preferably'there is provided at the top ,of the body portion a deflecting plate 45 having ribs 46 to distribute the mixture more or less evenly overthe jets N. Referring to Figure 3, this plate 45, preferably of solid metal, is positioned within the upwardly flaring walls 27 of thebody portion 23 and slightly above the semi-circular portion 26. In order to insure good distribution of the material over jets N, the plate 45 is connected to the body portion by any suitable adjustable means 47 so that it may be adjusted for causing best distribution by endwise or edgewise pivoting movements. .For example, the means 47 may comprise four sets of ,telescoping members connecting the four ends of the plate 45 tothe body portion, two of which are shown in Figure 3 with their screw 48 for maintaining the members 47 inzadjusted position.

The slime ponds S and S may be of any desired configuration and as shown they are preferably made of concrete walls 50 and imbedded within these walls are a multiplicity of pipes 51 which connect with a hot water boiler B whereby a hot water heating source may be fed through these pipes to provide heating action to the interior of each pond S and S. To remove the water that rises to the top of each pond there is provided suitable pump means P which is, preferably connected in a closed circulatory system with conduit 16 for re-circulation with drum 1 as shown at 52. Through necessary valve means, not shown, pump P is interchangeably connectable with each pond S or S.

As mentioned, the material received in body portion 23 is a slurry containing coarse particles and slime containing the valuable coating which has pretty much been washed, removed and separated from the heavier particles in the form of slime. However, to insure complete separation, the material received within body portion 23 is exposed to the jet action from the multiplicity of nozzles N and it can be seen that this jet action will completely remove the coating from the coarse particles by a turbulent washing action. Thus the water jets act to further separate the talc or coating and upgrade the uranium values to a desired grade of concentrates. The heavier particles and sand within body portion 23 settle to the bottom thereof or within the U-shaped or semi-circular shaped portion 26 and are carried out as waste through continuation 40 by the screw conveyor 41 to the discharge chute 44. The slime containing the valuable ore overflows into housing 32 and is carried into one or the other of the slime ponds S or S, depending upon the position of interchangeable means 35. Obviously, within the ponds, the valuable particles within the slime settle and are dried out so that they are marketable. Thus, the action within the drum 1 and body portion 23 separates (and washes) the valuable coating from the coarser particles whereby the coating is a part of the slime and the latter is removed, divided or finally-separated from the waste as explained.

To repeat, the action within drum 1 when supplemented by the action of the nozzles N causes the valuable coating to be removed or separated in the form of slime from the coarser .sand and gravel particles of the ore. The slime is removed from the body portion 23 and separated from theheavier waste particles by overflow into trough 31, the important aspects of this invention residingin the apparatus for causing the thorough and complete separating action within body portion 23 whereby the valuableconcentrates are received and the ore is up graded to the maximum extent. of course,,tl1ere=are, secondary features to the invention, such as the use of the deflecting plate 45 to insure maximum efliciency from the action of jets N.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and material, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the walls of the body portion need not flare outwardly, but may extend straight up from the top of the semi-circular portion 26.

What is claimed is:

1. Separating apparatus for separating in the form of slime valuable ore particles firom the heavier coarser ore particles comprising a body portion for receiving an ore and liquid mixture and having a substantially semicircular closed bottom with upwardly directed and outwardly flaring sides extending therefrom, a closed end wall and an open end opposite thereto, the side walls and end wall terminating in an open top extending in a substantial horizontal plane, means for directing spaced jets of liquid to the mixture as it enters the body portion, a screw conveyor adjacent the bottom of said separator for conveying heavier particles of ore to the open end, a continuous trough surrounding the side walls and closed end wall of the body portion adjacent the top, a portion of each side wall and the closed end wall forming a side of the trough, said trough being adapted to receive overflow in the form of slime from said body portion, and an outlet for the slime in the trough adjacent the closed end wall of the body portion.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for directing jets comprises a conduit for receiving liquid surrounding the body portion and beneath the trough, and a plurality of spaced nozzles from which the liquid jets flow supported by said conduit and extending through and into the body portion.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein there is provided within the body portion adjacent the open top a deflecting plate for the incoming mixture to aid in evenly distributing the mixture over the liquid jets, means for adjustably supporting said plate and said plate ineluding on its upper surface spaced ribs for directing the incoming material.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,520,752 Horwitz Dec. 30, 1924 1,921,306 Aldrich Aug. 8, 1933 1,954,462 Tainton Apr. 10, 1934 2,025,841 Young Dec. 31, 1935 2,261,403 Newhouse Nov. 4, 1941 2,276,075 Weunsch Mar. 10, 1942 2,383,045 Den Breejen Aug. 21, 1945 2,468,005 Walker Apr. 19, 1949 2,609,096 Bitzer Sept. 2, 1952 2,753,998 Hardinge July 10, 1956 OTHER REFERENCES United States Bureau of Mines, R.I. 3,057, 1930, page 4. 

